The Fresh Selections Tender Spinach had a "best if used by" date of Sept. 16. The grocer said in a statement on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's website Wednesday that if customers did buy the recalled product, they should return it to stores for a full refund or replacement.

Testing revealed the product may contain Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. If eaten, the bacteria can lead to severe illness called listeriosis. Healthy people who ingest the bacteria may not get sick but the elderly, women who are pregnant or people who have a weakened immune system are especially at risk.

Symptoms include fever and muscle aches, often with other gastrointestinal symptoms.

The company said the product was sold in Kroger stores in Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. The recall involves its Kroger, Jay C, Owen's, Pay Less, Scott's, Food 4 Less, Dillons, Baker's and Gerbes stores in Indiana, Illinois and eastern Missouri.